Fine Americas's Blush® PGR receives federal registration

Fine Americas, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of plant growth regulators(PGRs) for the fruit industry, recently announced the federal Section 3 registration of its new Blush® plant growth regulator(PGR). Featuring the active ingredient prohydrojasmon (PDJ), Blush® promotes red coloration in bi-color apple varieties.

"We're very excited about the federal registration of Blush®," noted Greg Johnson, president of Fine Americas. "Based on the data we've received from cooperators in several key apple-producing states, Blush® did an excellent job of enhancing fruit color in research trials compared to the standard treatment and untreated." Johnson added that Blush® can be used on wide range of varieties, including Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Macintosh and other bi-color apples to improve fruit coloration and marketability of these popular varieties.

Prohydrojasmon is a synthetically produced jasmonate, one of a new group of plant hormones with several beneficial physiological properties. In addition to fruit de-greening, PDJ aids in fruit color development by enhancing accumulation of anthocyanin.

Anthocyanins are red pigments that belong to a class of molecules called flavonoids.

Along with stimulating fruit coloration, anthocyanins act as powerful antioxidants.

"Blush® is another example of our company's continued commitment to America's fruit growers," Johnson summarized. "Along with our current portfolio of PGRs, including Exilis® Plus, Falgro®, Novagib® and Perlan®, the introduction of Blush® gives U.S. apple growers another valuable tool in their ongoing quest to produce the highest quality fruit."